An association between Vietnam and the city of Kitakyushu, Fukuoka perfecture, Japan has been set up, playing an important role in promoting friendship exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

The association aims to enhance economic and technical cooperation and the exchange of culture and people between the two sides, contributing to peace and prosperity in Asia.

It plans to organise an annual workshop on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and send groups to Vietnam to learn about the market and investment environment as well as assist the Vietnamese community in Kitakyushu .

At the founding meeting in Kitakyushu city on Aug. 8, the Kitakyushu-Vietnam association adopted its charter, action plan and proposed budget for 2009. The 44-member association elected an executive board, including Kise Teraosu, TOTO General Director as President and Vietnamese Consul General Vu Huy Mung as honorary advisor.

Kitayushu is the second largest city in Fukuoka and one of Japan’s biggest industrial hubs. The city’s leaders and businesses desire to expand cooperation with Vietnam.

Last April, the city signed an agreement on cooperation and friendship exchanges with Vietnam’s port city of Hai Phong./.